Data storage card device, apparatus and method

ABSTRACT

Apparatus and method wherein a credit card sized high-memory card, composed of a magnetic storage medium, or alternatively of a nonmagnetic material such as plastic having a suitable magnetic recording medium inserted therein or placed thereon, can be inserted into an operative position adjacent to a read/write head, and the head can be moved relative to the high-memory card to permit the head to write data to or read data from the magnetic recording medium of the high-memory card while the card is rotated. In the preferred embodiment, a disk-shaped platen is provided, with a shallow channel in its upper surface sufficiently wide to accept a high-memory card placed lengthwise therein, such that the upper surface of the card will be level with the upper surface of the platen, and the geometric center of the high-memory card will be centered directly over the rotational axis of the platen. The platen can then be rotated so that the magnetic medium of the high-memory card rotates symmetrically with it under the read/write head which can be rotated in a limited arc about its own axis, which axis is situated outside the circumference of the platen, or alternatively, the read/write head can be movable radially of the central axis of the platen, whereby the read/write head is capable of writing to or reading from all portions of a circular area of magnetic medium centered on the high-memory card, the diameter of which area of the magnetic medium so used may be less than or equal to the width of the high-memory card.

PRIORITY CLAIM

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/161,302 filed Oct. 23, 1999 entitled “Data Storage Device, Apparatus and Method for Using Same”.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to read-write apparatus and methods for high density data recording on recording media in the shape of a card.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The preferred embodiments of this invention provide a card reader apparatus in which a thin card approximately the size of a business or credit card provides a high density, large storage capacity recording surface occupying a substantial portion of the card surface. The card is placed in a recessed platen and rotated proximate to a read/write head. In one embodiment, the head is incrementally moved through an arc over the surface of the rotating magnetic recording card to create a series of recording tracks thereon. In another embodiment, the head assembly moves radially over the magnetic recording card.

[0004] A significant feature of the preferred embodiments of this invention is that the read/write head does not cross an interface between the recording surface and the surface of the platen. Rather, the read/write head is continuously proximate to the recording surface of the card and only the recording surface of the card is scanned during rotation of the platen. One important advantage of this feature is that it avoids undue wear on the read/write head.

[0005] Another advantage of the preferred embodiments of the invention is that the control system is greatly simplified since the head is continuously scanning the recording surface of the card.

[0006] Another feature of the preferred embodiments of the invention is that the card is advantageously retained substantially symmetrical to the axis of rotation of the platen, thereby eliminating an unbalanced rotating mass. As a result several potential problems are avoided. For example, an unbalanced rotating mass creates centrifugal forces which tend to cause the platen disk to wobble, the elimination of which requires particularly high levels of precision, close control of tolerances, and dynamic counter-balancing of masses that may have different coefficients of thermal expansion which create operating instability under changing ambient temperatures. In addition, any off-center moments create substantial problems in maintaining head tracking accuracy.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0007]FIG. 1 illustrates a top plan view of one embodiment of a card read-writer apparatus constructed in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Overall Description

[0008] A card read/write apparatus constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment of this invention is shown in FIG. 1. Memory storage card 20 is inserted into this apparatus onto the surface of a recess 21, formed in a platen 25. Card 20 is retained in this recess and platen 25 is rotated about axis 27 to rotate card 20 proximate to read/write head 30. As described herein, the substantial data storage capacity of card 20 and rotational velocity of platen 25 provide for a very substantial data storage at low cost.

Card Entry

[0009] The apparatus of FIG. 1 is typically mounted within a housing 35 having a slot 37 in its front wall 40. The slot 37 is sized to allow entry of the card 20 onto the platen recess 21. Conventional motor driven apparatus (not shown) may be used to move the storage card 20 longitudinally until the leading edge 41 of card 20 is firmly lodged against the rear wall 42 of platen recess 21.

[0010] In the specific embodiment shown, the platen includes a card retainer apparatus in the form of projection ears 43 which extend over the recess surface 22 to leave a space between the bottom of each ear and the surface 22 of the recess which is slightly larger than the thickness of the card 20. This allows card 20 to be slid onto the recess 21 while retaining the card 20 on the platen 25 during its rotation. In some preferred embodiments of the invention, the upper surface of the card 20 will be retained substantially level with the upper surface of the platen 25. In these embodiments, other card retainer apparatus, such as an air suction applied through apertures in the floor of the recess 21, can be used to retain the card within the recess.

[0011] During card entry, platen 25 is maintained in an appropriate position vis-a-vis slot 37 by platen lock apparatus 45. This apparatus includes a pivoting arm 50 having a platen engageable projection 51 at or proximate to the distal end 52 of arm 50 remote from its pivot axis 55. Control system 60 senses a card entry 61 or a card withdrawal 62 command to energize solenoid 65. Solenoid plunger 66 then engages the distal end of the arm 50 so that the projection 51 engages a radial notch 70 of platen 25. Platen is then “locked” into a stationary position in which the front edge of recess is juxtaposed slot 37 for card insertion or card withdrawal.

[0012] It will be apparent that many other platen locating devices and control systems may be used to locate recess 21 for card entry. For example, the platen drive motor (not shown) may be controlled by a servo loop that includes a sensor responsive to the rotational position of the platen relative to the slot 37. The platen drive motor would thus be used to rotate the platen recess to the desired position.

The Storage Card 20

[0013] Typically, the card 20 will have the approximate size of a credit card or business card supporting a layer of magnetizeable medium. The preferred embodiments of card 20 include cards in which substantially all of one face of the card is comprised of a magnetizeable medium 71 or both faces of the card are composed of a magnetizeable medium. In still other embodiments, card 20 is, substantially in its entirety, formed of a suitable recording medium.

Read/Write Head Actuator

[0014] The read/write head 30 is attached at the distal end of a cantilever arm 75. The proximal end of arm 75 is coupled to the head actuating mechanism 80. Apparatus 80 typically includes a stepper motor for incrementally moving arm 75 between center line segment 84 and either line segment 81 or 83 so that head 30 sweeps back and forth as indicated by arrows 85, 85′ along a limited arcuate curve whose axis of rotation is at 81.

[0015] In the preferred embodiment shown, the recorded area of card 20 is shown as an approximate circle 100 and the read/write head 30 is continuously proximate to the recording surface of its card 20.

Platen Drive Mechanism

[0016] In the preferred embodiment shown, platen 25 is a disk shaped member rotated by a motor (not shown) below this platen for rotating the platen 25 in a direction indicated by arrow 90. Platen 25 thus rotates relative to a fixed reference to rotate storage card 20 symmetrically with the axis of rotation of platen 25 under the read/write head 30.

[0017] By way of specific example, the platen drive motor (not shown) is advantageously a brushless D.C. motor. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A high density card reader apparatus comprising: a housing having a card slot; a thin high density recording card approximately the size of a credit or business card; a driven rotatable platen having a recess in its surface approximately the length and width of said card and large enough to accept the card into said recess, said recess being located substantially symmetrical to the axis of rotation of said platen; card retainer apparatus; a movable read/write head located continuously proximate the surface of said card without crossing an interface between the recording surface of the card and the surface of the platen; head actuator apparatus coupled to drive said head incrementally in a limited arc across the surface of said card; a card slot in said housing; and platen locating apparatus responsive to card entry or card withdrawal to position said recess in juxtaposition with said card slot.
 2. A high density card reader apparatus comprising: a housing having a card slot; a thin high density recording card approximately the size of a credit or business card; a driven rotatable platen having a recess in its surface approximately the length and width of said card and large enough to accept the card into said recess; card retainer apparatus; a movable read head located proximate the surface of said card; head actuator apparatus coupled to drive said head incrementally in an arc across the surface of said card; and a card slot in said housing; and platen locating apparatus responsive to card entry or card withdrawal to position said recess in juxtaposition with said card slot.
 3. The card reader apparatus of claim 2, wherein said card is approximately the size of a credit or business card.
 4. The card reader apparatus of claim 2, wherein said card retainer apparatus includes one or more projection ears about the surface of said recess.
 5. The card reader apparatus of claim 2, including an actuator for incrementally moving said head through an arc across the surface of said card.
 6. The card reader apparatus of claim 2, wherein said platen locating apparatus includes an electromechanical actuator.
 7. The card reader apparatus of claim 6, wherein said actuator includes a solenoid driving an actuator.
 8. The card reader apparatus of claim 6 or 7, wherein said actuator is a movable projection engaging notch in said platen.
 9. A method for recording and/or reading on a recordable medium provided on a rectangular card similar in size to a credit card, comprising: placing said card on a rotatable platen substantially symmetrical to the axis of rotation of said platen and adjacent to a read and/or write head; rotating said platen and incrementally moving said head along an arcuate path with respect to said card without crossing an interface between the recording surface of the card and the surface of the platen.
 10. A method for recording and/or reading on a recordable medium provided on a rectangular card similar in size to a credit card, comprising: placing said card on a platen adjacent to a read and/or write head; rotating said platen and incrementally moving said head along an arcuate path with respect to said card. 